Lake Waco Wetlands

05/07/2021

Finally Mother Nature is cooperating with our Night Hike plans. Join us tonight, Friday May 7th at 7:30 pm at the Lake Waco Wetlands for fun and adventure! Bring flashlights and get ready to enjoy the deafening chorus of frogs and toads!!

04/30/2021

Tonight’s April 30th Night Hike is canceled due to weather. The Cameron Park Zoo staff has graciously agreed to reschedule for next Friday, May 7th.
We will meet at 7:30 pm at the Lake Waco Wetlands, bring a flashlight and wear proper shoes!

04/16/2021

Tonight’s Night Hike has been Cancelled due to the weather. Please join us next Friday, April 23 at 7:30 pm!

04/14/2021

Lake Waco Wetlands Friday Night Hikes start at 7:30 pm on April 16, 23 and 30, 2021!
No registration needed, meet us in front of the Research and Education Building at 1752 Eichelberger Crossing Road.

03/08/2021

Heads up! Today the Texas A&M Forest Service is planning to conduct a 130 acre prescribed burn out here at the Lake Waco Wetlands. The burn is planned to start around lunch time and should be completed today.
These burns are used as a management tool in natural areas and state parks to improve habitat for wildlife by restoring woodlands, wetlands, and savannahs that were historically maintained by natural fires. They also reduce the amount of available fuels such as cedars, willow trees, fallen branches, understory growth and dead trees that accumulate naturally and from storm events. By decreasing the amount of available fuels, prescribed burns reduce the chance for potentially destructive wildfire to occur.

04/22/2020

Happy Earth Day!
Please practice Social Distancing even when outdoors!

03/20/2020

According to American Trails: The Respite of Trails and Outdoor Recreation
Trails As Health and Safety Inspiration in the Age of Coronavirus

America’s incomparable system of national scenic, historic, and recreational trails is the perfect way to sustain your mental and physical health, while maintaining the social distancing that is required in these challenging times.

With the onset of COVID-19, and the challenging isolation required of us all, American Trails would like to suggest that trails, parks, and outdoor recreation are the ideal way to kick your cabin fever, without exposing yourself to the coronavirus.

Care must be practiced throughout the experience, but when done thoughtfully and carefully, trails are inherently perfect as social distancing tools. You really can’t help but maintain appropriate social distancing while using a trail.

American Trails and our partners in the trail and outdoor recreation communities invite all of those who are no longer able to visit tourism or hospitality venues during the pandemic lock-down to safely enjoy the healthy option of an independently enjoyed hike, bike, run, or ride on America's system of scenic open space trails!

When you go…

As schools close and cities cancel public events and recommend people avoid busy places, public health experts say trails and parks are a safer option when looking for recreation. When you head out to a trail, please remember the following:

*If you plan to visit a trail check beforehand to ensure that it is still open to the public.
*Keep a distance of 6 feet between yourself and others at all times.
*Do not touch public services, such as benches or water fountains, unless necessary.
*Wash your hands thoroughly before and after outdoor recreation and after touching any public surfaces.
*If you are sick you should stay home.
These are challenging times, but one thing is clear, our fellow American’s will need relief and respite now more than ever. Trails, outdoor recreation, and our amazing open spaces can well serve that need. We are all in this together, and American Trails offers up this inspiration that trails have always and will continue to save people.
by Mike Passo, Executive Director, American Trails

American Trails
[email protected]
www.americantrails.org

03/15/2020

Due to the recent Health Crisis, the Lake Waco Wetlands will be closed until March 29, 2020. All field trips previously scheduled during this time will be postponed and/or cancelled.
Most of the scheduled schools have already been notified, but please do not hesitate to call or email if more information is needed. 254-848-9654 or [email protected]

02/06/2020

02/05/2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Larry Holze, Public Information Officer Municipal Information
254-750-5636 [email protected]
www.waco-texas.com
Waco Wetlands Prescribed Burn Scheduled for Friday
WACO, TEXAS (February 4, 2020) – The Texas A&M Forest Service (TFS) plans to conduct a 70 acre prescribed burn at the Waco Wetlands Friday, February 7 at 11 a.m. The burn is expected to be conducted and completed in one day. TFS is monitoring weather conditions to determine the weather and fuel conditions meet prescription for that day.
Prescribed burns are used as a management tool in natural areas and state parks to improve habitat for wildlife by restoring woodlands, wetlands and savannahs in the Waco Wetlands Area that were historically maintained by natural fires. They are also conducted to reduce the amount of available fuels, such as cedar, willow trees, fallen branches, understory growth and dead trees that accumulate naturally and from storm events. By decreasing the amount of available fuels, prescribed burns reduce the chance for a potentially destructive wildfire to occur.
TFS staff have already begun preparing for the upcoming burn by clearing vegetation and other fuels from the firebreaks established around the perimeter of each area that will be burned this year. Fuels and vegetation are also cleared away from utility poles, structures, signs and sensitive resources to protect them during the prescribed burns.
Prescribed burns are conducted by TFS personnel who have undergone training and met National Wildland Firefighting certification standards. The Waco Wetlands prescribed burn plan defines the conditions under which a prescribed burn may be conducted, taking into account wind speeds and direction, air temperature, relative humidity, and fuel moisture levels. The plan also guides fire crewmembers in managing burns to prevent them from escaping into adjacent properties and to minimize the effect of smoke in nearby residential areas.
The TFS Burn Boss advises that there may be smoke that reduces visibility on neighboring roads and asks travelers to reduce their speed and use their headlights when smoke is present.
For more information, please contact:
Victoria Wenkman, Wildland Urban Interface II, Texas A&M Forest Service, [email protected], 254-633-8612 or
Mary Leather, Capacity Building Specialist III, Texas A&M Forest Service, [email protected], 979-218-3030
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Money raised through a donation from an elephant collection is being used towards Cameron Park Zoo and the ALS Association. WATCH VIDEO!

12/11/2019

From today

12/11/2019

Nora's Pond is active again...Rainbow Trout are here!
Please remember all TPWD fishing rules and regulations apply and PLEASE don't litter!